Does anybody know if the scenery, specifically the model building manufactures have produced any US landmarks in any product line? I was seriously considering making the Rail line that runs underground (underneath the Arch grounds) but before I waste 3 hours on Google trying to find a lead, does anybody think this is a credible thread to look for?
I can’t say for sure, but I suspect there are models of various landmarks. Whether they are any good or of a scale that is compaitible with any model railroad scale is an entirely different issue. The Arch would be about 4’ high and side to side in N-scale. I doubt that any model is commercially available in any size approaching that.
Or go back in time to pre- 1979 when it wasn’t underground! I used to sit in my office and watch the BN SW7s shuttling cars through there.
I believe you would have to build the arch from scratch. That shouldn’t be too difficult to do in cardboard covered with aluminum foil. As Adelie says though, unless you are in N or Z scales that is going to be one monsterous structure.
Why would you need to model the entire height of the Arch? Just modelling a portion of each leg would easily identify the structure. To add to the illusion, model some low clouds or fog where the legs hit the ceiling…
I have never seen any type of landmarks like this. Good idea though!
Why not carve it out of extruded foam? I think MR had an article not long ago about modeling a multiple arch bridge that way. Carve/cut, paint and you’re done.
It will be mighty big if you’re modeling to scale thou
gh.
Another possibility is to “model” the arch with a photo worked into your backdrop painting. That way it won’t overwhelm everything else on the layout.
Chuck
That’s a tall order, literally! What time era are you planning on? You could model it as under construction. There are some good books that show the Arch under construction. Good luck…regards, John
tomikawa has a good suggestion. I am modeling the New Haven’s Shore LIne from New Haven to New London. The big problem is the LONG series of truss bridges and a draw bridge spanning the Connecticut River. I have finally hit on using an omega shaped loop from Old Saybrook in the foreground to Old Lyme on the east side of the river. The tracks would disappear behind buildings or scenery while rounding the curve. Across the back of the loop I will put a photo mural of the bridge in reduced scale. The radius of the loop will be 36 inches so the photo mural will be about 5 feet long. That is a lot shorter and a lot easier than trying to build that many bridges over that very wide river. By crossing that river to New London I get the bonus of having Rocky Neck and Crescent Beaches where they belong which border the tracks in those areas.
There is a Lego version of it on one of the travelling lego modules that attend many of the shows. It was at the National show in Cincy last year. I think you are in for a scratch build or a photo back drop. There is some interesting RRing in the area with the Missississippi double deck bridge coming out of the yard heading into Illinois. Also the underground section in front of the arch quickly becomes and elevated section once it emerges in front of the Rams Stadium. This could be one huge diorama!